Ebola fighters: 27 ex-rebels mobilised in DR Congo’s worst outbreak
Twenty-seven demobilised combatants have joined the fight against Ebola in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, the United Nations peacekeeping mission said on Wednesday.
Source: United Nations News · August 16, 2026 at 6:28 PM · AI-assisted report
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KUALA LUMPUR, 17 AUGUST 2026 —
Twenty-seven demobilised combatants have been mobilised to support the fight against Ebola in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the United Nations peacekeeping mission said on Wednesday.
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The former rebels, now serving as community mobilisers in Tchomia, Ituri Province, are part of an initiative to curb the spread of the virus through public awareness campaigns. The outbreak, caused by the Bundibugyo species for which no approved vaccine exists, has already claimed over 2,000 lives across the DRC, making it one of the deadliest epidemics in the country’s history.
The deployment comes as the outbreak expands into its sixth province, raising concerns over further spread to neighbouring South Sudan. Persistent conflict, poor infrastructure, and limited healthcare access continue to hinder containment efforts. Eastern DRC has faced prolonged instability due to rebel activity, displacing millions and complicating disease response.
The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) supported the demobilisation of these former fighters, who underwent training in prevention, detection, and reporting of Ebola cases. They are now stationed in high-traffic areas such as markets, town centres, and livestock feed production sites, where they promote hand hygiene, symptom recognition, and prompt reporting to health authorities.
“The goal is to turn former combatants and community members into active participants in the fight against Ebola,” said Florent Nzama, coordinator of a local NGO network involved in the initiative. MONUSCO views the project as a dual effort—addressing a public health crisis while fostering community cohesion and stability.
A MONUSCO representative noted that the initiative demonstrates the former rebels’ integration into civilian life post-demobilisation. The mission has not provided further details on the long-term impact or scalability of the programme.